2006 Corton-Charlemagne
By Bonneau du Martray
2006 Corton-Charlemagne from Bonneau du Martray, Grand Cru, Burgundy, France
The 2006 vintage in Burgundy whispered of vicissitudes, a year that winemakers approached with both respect and apprehension due to challenging climatic whims. Yet, the revered 2006 Corton-Charlemagne from Bonneau du Martray stands as a testament to the skill of facing adversity with grace. The prowess of this producer crystallises in this bottle, encapsulating a narrative of the vintage's dynamic temperament.
A Vintage Defined by Tenacity
The weather patterns of 2006 painted a complex portrait in Burgundy, fraught with swings from drought to storm—testing the mettle of vineyard and vigneron alike. Yet it is precisely these conditions that imbue the 2006 Corton-Charlemagne with its distinguished character; a manifestation of tenacious viticulture coupled with judicious winemaking.
This Grand Cru benefitted greatly from Bonneau du Martray's masterful touch; an engaging confluence of ripe fruit balanced by the mineral backbone characteristic of this appellation. It reveals layers of stone fruit nuances and almond cream—a rich palate endowed with longevity yet marked by an acute finesse that is distinctive for the vintage.
An Investment in Elegance
For investors seeking illustrious whites brimming with potential for evolution, the 2006 Corton-Charlemagne from Bonneau du Martray presents a formidable opportunity. Fine wine investment portfolios are enhanced by distinctive vintages such as this, where character and collectability converge.
Examining the glass, one admires its luminescent golden hue—a harbinger of its maturity and complexity. Swirling releases an olfactory tapestry woven with notes of honeyed citrus and subtle smoky oak; one sip unveils a structured yet silken texture that echoes through a lingering finish.
In conclusion, as we consider the role of individual vintages like 2006 in building a diverse and robust portfolio, let not the emphasis on Bordeaux's reds overshadow Burgundy's brilliance. The 2006 Corton-Charlemagne from Bonneau du Martray articulates its vintage narrative not through words but through its sublime expression—one cultivated in adversity, yet flourishing in elegance.
Current market price
$5,850.00
12x75cl
Highest score
93
POP score
269.23
Scores and tasting notes
Jean-Charles Le Bault de Martray has established a singular track record for wine from a single large parcel in the heart of the original Charlemagne vineyards of Corton. His distinctive methods typically include separate fermentation of each vineyard block; a year in barrel with late summer malolactic; and a full six months on the fine lees in tank, in which state I tasted his 2006 Corton-Charlemagne. An architect by training, Le Bault de Martray values -brightness, precision and proportionality- and it is easy to see those virtues exemplified in this wine, characterized by clarity, subtlety, firmness of structure, and sheer refreshment unusual for the vintage. Scents of fresh lime, heliotrope and white peach usher in a subtly-creamy yet persistently bright and juicy display of continued citrus, peach, and inner-mouth floral notes. Airy and elegant, this finishes almost delicately but tenaciously. Le Bault de Martray cautions that his Corton-Charlemagne virtually uniformly -shuts down- for several years soon after bottling. I would recommend planning on revisiting this 2006 in 3-5 years and it should repay at least an additional decade's bottle maturation. The palpable extract and depth of sweet-saline, savor in the 2005 put it in a similar league and in line for a similarly long life. Importer: Diageo Chateau and Estate Wines Company, New York, NY; tel. (646) 223 2200
David Schildknecht - The Wine Advocate, 21 December 2008